Achievements

Awards

2008 NLSA Awards

SENIOR MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MIKE HOWLETT
    Mike Howlett put a banner soccer season together during 2008, much in the same excellent manner that he has for 17 provincial and national Challenge Cup competitions. Utilizing exceptional determination and desire to well support the natural skill and talent that he has developed, he provided impressive leadership on and off the field for the St. Lawrence Laurentians, both provincially and nationally.
    Drawing often and well on the valuable experience that he earned in Alberta as well as Newfoundland and Labrador, Mike Howlett played a major role in the great record that St. Lawrence posted in provincial Challenge Cup competition. The Laurentians lost only one game in their provincial schedule and he contributed greatly to this exceptional showing,
    The manner in which he played in each and every game was recognized when he was named winner of the Dick Power Memorial Award after being selected the Most Valuable Player for the regular season. Voted to the provincial all-star team as striker, he added the Gerard Quirke MVP Award for the playoffs.
     Bothered by injuries all season, he scored five goals in provincial regular season play and continuously fed his teammates timely and well placed passes that allowed them to score goals. His knowledge of the game and determination to contribute to his team was very evident and a great example of his contributions to the St. Lawrence club.
    Mike Howlett continued his exceptional play into the Canadian championships where he scored two goals and earned several assists playing against the finest amateur soccer players within the nation.
    Overall, Mike Howlett again demonstrated his soccer prowess during 2008, setting an example of top level play that may certainly be used as a model for younger players. He ranked highly with the very best within Canada.

JUNIOR MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
SEAN EDWARDS
    Sean Edwards repeated as the province’s top junior male soccer player during 2008 after earning the same selection for 2007. Following in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame father Clem, he enjoyed exceptional personal and team successes at every level of soccer from high school to senior Challenge Cup.
    Continuously demonstrating why he is regarded as one of the most promising young players within Atlantic Canada, he continuously demonstrated exceptional talent and skill as both a striker and mid-fielder . Conspicuous as a leader, both on and off the pitch, he displayed a soccer knowledge well beyond his age.   
    Despite his youth, he was able to earn a berth on the St. Lawrence Laurentians club that won the provincial Challenge Cup championship. He took full advantage of his playing time to earn selection as the Laurentians’ most improved player and contributed much to the team’s successes.
His valuable contributions were a major factor in St. Lawrence Academy winning the provincial school title and he led St. Lawrence to the Under-16 provincial “B” championship while being voted the top male player in St. Lawrence youth soccer.  Named to the Canada Games player pool, he was a member of the Under-16 provincial all-stars.
    His great talent and skill earned him a spot at the National Training Centre in Halifax and he was one of eight players from this province selected to play with Team Atlantic at the Quebec National training center.
    Devoted to soccer, he worked hard and tirelessly during 2008 to further improve his skills, making exceptional personal sacrifices for training and conditioning sessions. He is simply a very talented and dedicated young soccer player who is striving to get even better.

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
SHANE DUNPHY
Shane Dunphy was a major beneficial influence for the good of soccer during 2008. In a wide range of contributions, at every level of soccer, his work and expertise was a valuable factor in success stories. He was simply great for soccer.
His daily contributions included president of the Burin Peninsula Soccer Association and Marystown Minor Soccer Association, and technical chair of the Burin Peninsula Soccer Association. He was coach of Marystown and Burin Peninsula Under-10 and Under-12 teams as well as assistant coach for the provincial Under-13 boys All-star club.
He was convenor of invitational tournaments and responsible for many teams traveling to the Burin Peninsula for soccer competition. He served as Burin Peninsula representative on the provincial board of directors and on the provincial technical committee.
He was successful in reviving Masters soccer in Marystown and the town entered the provincial Masters championships and he played a major role in the formation of a very successful provincial Under-14 boys league.
He was especially effective in fundraising for Burin Peninsula teams and obtained some excellent sponsors, thus allowing a very large number of Burin Peninsula players and teams to enjoy good competition at every level of soccer.
The successes that Burin Peninsula soccer , especially within Marystown, enjoyed during 2008 was due to the great leadership that the overall programs received from Shane Dunphy. He fully supported all aspects of the plans he developed with positive personal action and the results were excellent.